The Kern County Autism Center near Arvin is without several of their therapy animals after they were stolen over the weekend.
Emily Williams, the residential facility supervisor at the Autism Center said their ducks were stolen sometime between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Staff and officials with the Kern County Sheriff's Office think whoever stole them parked behind the property and walked through a grape vineyard to access the back fence that they cut from top to bottom.
"It's very difficult right now because we're very nervous that they're going to come back and get the other animals or do other things to us," said Williams.
Williams said the animals are used for therapy for their clients, which she said is extremely valuable. She added that clients have a set routine with the animals and worry some may have a hard time adjusting to life without them.
"They'd come out here and they'd collect the eggs or they raked the leaves, they'd feed them, they'd just spend time with them," said Williams.
Staff at the facility asked that 23 ABC not disclose what other animals they had at the facility out of fear someone would try to steal those as well.
For now the non-profit is trying to move forward, but their first priority is getting their fence fixed and adding security cameras to their facility.
They have started a GoFundMe page to help with the expenses, if you would like to donate you can click here.
